While getting ready for a blog re-launch after a very long hiatus, a “Hello World” message mistakenly went to everyone who is subscribed to my blog.

I apologize for that email!

Since it went out, I will announce now that Craving the Savings will return within the next few weeks with an exciting new way to save money on groceries. Subscribers to this blog will be the first to hear of this new tool.

The final Freebie of the Week at the Richardson Whole Foods Market is:

365 Instant Oats

Stop by the Guest Services Desk at the Richardson Whole Foods Market store (SE corner of Coit/Beltline) today (1/28/11) starting at 8AM and ask about “Freebie Friday” to get the 365 Instant Oats for free!

This offer will be available while supplies last (no 9AM cut off). There will be no rain checks or substitutions.

Whenever I have logged in to participate, there has been a note stating they weren’t accepting new registrations. But tonight I noticed they are now accepting new participants!

If you like to participate in research studies and occasionally make a little money, be sure to sign up here. I don’t know how long this will stay open, so if you’re interested, act quickly.

All studies are online and usually take 10-20 minutes to complete.

Some are paid (usually $5-$15 Amazon.com gift cards), but most (in my experience) are not. The unpaid studies have gift card giveaways and usually list what your chances are of winning (e.g. 1 in 4 will win a $20 Amazon.com gift card).

The paid studies tend to fill up quickly. By the time I receive the email announcement about new studies (usually late afternoon), it’s too late to participate, so I highly recommend logging in by lunchtime each day to see if there are any new studies posted.

The GSB Behavioral Lab recently sent out an email to participants stating they were shutting down some accounts due to high participation and the possibility of these individuals’ answers not being entirely genuine. So… in order to stay in their database, it might be a good idea to not participate in too many unpaid studies. Also be aware that if you sign up for a study but do not complete it, it is still counted as a completed study in their system.

Print the 25% off coupon, which excludes clearance, but doesn’t say it excludes sale items. See the coupon for other exclusions.

I only use these 25% off coupons to buy sale items that will be 40% off or more, or on small items that would take a long time to get with 40% off coupons (e.g. individual sheets of scrapbook paper). Otherwise I would prefer to use the 40% or 50% off coupons when I shop for arts and crafts supplies.

Stop by the Guest Services Desk at the Richardson Whole Foods Market store (SE corner of Coit/Beltline) today (1/21/11) starting at 8AM and ask about “Freebie Friday” to get the 365 Sauce Marinara for free!

This offer will be available while supplies last (no 9AM cut off). There will be no rain checks or substitutions.

Ashleigh at Thankfully Thrifty heard a cashier mention that there will be approximately 50 available. Thanks, Ashleigh!

For readers who live or work near the Richardson (TX) Whole Foods Market….

The store will no longer be shutting off the promotion at 9AM! For the final two Fridays, you will be able to pick up the item of the day anytime after 8AM until supplies run out.

The promotion has been very well-received! Unfortunately I do not know how many products will be available, but if you haven’t been able to make it to the store between 8 AM and 9AM, you still may have a shot at getting the freebie later in the day.

If you live in Dallas/Fort Worth or Houston, head to Calloway’s Nurseries (DFW) or Cornelius Nurseries (Houston) on Saturday, January 15 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM for their first ever repotting day.

Take your own pots and plants, or purchase new plants at the nursery. They also have newly imported pots that will be available for purchase.

They will provide:

* the working space and tools (including bench space in the greenhouse),
* complimentary Calloway’s Premium Potting Soil,
* a starter application of either granular or water soluble fertilizer
* and complimentary decorative material to top off your container

Also, at 10:15 AM on the same day, they will hold a “Dressing Your Indoors Clinic”. Here’s the description:

“Improve the quality of your indoor air with houseplants as well as use them to brighten up a room. Plant leaves act as filters for many of the harmful toxins which are produced from carpet, paint, insulation and many other building materials found in our homes and offices.

To learn how to clean the air using indoor plants, come to Calloway’s or Cornelius Nursery for a free “Dressing Your Indoors” Clinic Saturday, January 15, 2011, at 10:15 a.m. ”